'Man burned alive in car boot, lured by the student he was obsessed with'

'Man burned alive in car boot, lured by the student he was obsessed with'

'Man burned alive in car boot, lured by the student he was obsessed with'

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Mundil Mahil

Accused: Mundil Mahil at the Old Bailey today

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Gagandip Singh

Killed: Gagandip Singh

Accused: Mundil Mahil at the Old Bailey today

A young businessman was burned alive in the boot of his own Mercedes after being lured to his death by a medical student he was obsessed with, the Old Bailey heard today.

Gagandip Singh, 21, was so besotted with Mundil Mahil that he had tried to have sex with her in her Brighton flat, the jury was told.

The student, described as "an intelligent and attractive young woman", fought him off and her "gangster friends" were determined to extract revenge, the court heard.

In a series of text messages she lured him back to her flat where he was set upon by Harvinder Shoker, known as Ravi, and Darren Peters.

Prosecutor Aftab Jafferjee QC said: "He had no idea what lay in store for him and he was attacked and beaten unconscious. He was then wrapped up in Mahil's duvet and carried by Ravi and Peters to the boot of the Mercedes.

"The car was taken to a quiet area of Blackheath, petrol was poured into the car and onto him as he lay unconscious, or helpless inside the boot.

"It is scientifically clear beyond any doubt that at this point he was still alive. The car was then set alight with him locked in the boot."

Shoker, of Greenwich, Peters, of Blackheath and Mahil, of Chatham, all 20, have pleaded not guilty to murder in February.

Both Singh and Mundil are Sikhs and Shoker was also besotted with her, the court heard.In August last year Singh was showering Mundil with offers of gifts and stayed the night at the house she shared with fellow medical students.

She had been particularly supportive when his father had been murdered in India the previous September leaving Singh and his mother to run the family food packing business. That night he tried to get into her bed and have sex, which she forcibly rejected.

She reacted "as you would expect any young woman to react by being extremely upset and angry at what she, with some justification, perceived as a great betrayal of trust," said Mr Jafferjee. Singh tried to make up, which made Mahil even more angry.

Mr Jafferjee said: "She told her housemates that on occasions following the 'attempted rape' certain of her male friends - sometimes referred to as 'gangster friends' - wished to exact revenge and retribution on Singh, but that she would discourage them.

"However far from discouraging anyone she lured him to Brighton suggesting a meeting at her home at 11pm."

Singh was excited at the prospect but also wary, but she reassured him, the court heard. The case continues.